OS Christmas 2014 thread!!!!

jlhmd666

Once the kids go back to school I would like to have a go at making a Christmas cake this year. I haven't got any idea as yet at how to go about it but it would be good to be able to give some to my mom & dad and M.I.L

jlhmd666

craigywv wrote: »

peeks head through door waving white flag..........................did anyone make the marmalade yet?

I am making mine this morning so will let you know My friend has also asked me for the recipe and she is as excited at making it as I am. We were discussing over blackberry picking what we could have the onion marmalade with and the cheese board won hands down

Nargleblast

I bought some of Ald1 orange liqueur yesterday for Christmas cocktails and tried some last night......pleasant, but you wouldn't want to drink too much at once. Will also sprinkle a little over sponge cake in the Christmas trifle (I make one every year, different flavours depending on what I have in store.)
I can also recommend their Amaretto liqueur - when making Christmas cake I soak the fruit for 24 hours in a mixture of Amaretto and brandy.

patentgirl

Morning everyone can I please join in not very organised yet but my mouth is watering at all the sounds of lovely food can I please have all your recipes Natlie all sound yummy
Craigwv we used last of brought chutney last night so I am going to try yours too did you use brown or red onions or mixture?
I have 13 for Christmas dinner will try and do it frugally as possible, going to start buying something extra each week as others have suggested on this thread and put by.
I need to cut down on present buying so far only brought two stocking fillers, this year I have decided to do all my family stockings the last couple of years only my 4 grandchildren and youngest DD(21!) have had one, instead spent ages buying bits and pieces and vouchers for DD,SIL,DS,BIL and DH but as need to cutback decided everyone likes a stocking will wrap each gift separately to look more inviting and cut costs at the same time. just my elderly parents will not have a clue as usual.
Nargeblast I looked at that on Tuesday picked up voucher in mirror today for £5 off £40 spend so will buy some then to put by.

jlhmd666

Craigywv I've made your onion marmalade (using Brown onions) and stuck to the measurements you gave in your recipe. At first, I thought it was taking an awfully long time to get to a jam like consistency and I was worried I had got it wrong but it has set and is DELICIOUS!!!!

Following your recipe I got half a jar of the Homepride cook in sauce jars so I will double it next time to get a full jar. I can't wait for OH to try it tonight. Thank you

P.S The house does smell of vinegar when it's cooking

luxor4t

DH's birthday is the end of August, so I shall not start Christmas preparations until 1st September ...I shall not start Christmas preparations until 1st September ...I shall not start Christmas preparations until 1st September ...




If you hear a thundering noise on that day, it will be me rushing upstairs to the attic room aka Santa's Grotto!


(I have already bought a few gift bags in the Card Factory as they were exactly the right size for niece and nephews' gifts and I could not get that size in the Jan sales )

craigywv

jlhmd666 wrote: »

Craigywv I've made your onion marmalade (using Brown onions) and stuck to the measurements you gave in your recipe. At first, I thought it was taking an awfully long time to get to a jam like consistency and I was worried I had got it wrong but it has set and is DELICIOUS!!!!

Following your recipe I got half a jar of the Homepride cook in sauce jars so I will double it next time to get a full jar. I can't wait for OH to try it tonight. Thank you

P.S The house does smell of vinegar when it's cooking

Yayyyyyyyy. So glad it turned out for you I love it,I have it with everything. And to the person who was asking I use any onions I have red,brown whatever xxx

lynsayjane

Morning all,

can't say I'm as organised as most of you and have never done home made foods for presents. Might have a think about these recipies and if they would be right for any of my family or friends.
Present wise I give to my nephew and a little something for my sis and her partner. My mum and stepdad, dad and his wife. I also give to an aunt and two cousins. I don't tend to give gifts to friends though if the BF and I work out I'll now have him to add to the list.

I did pick up one small thing for my sis in the Jan sales and just received a nightshirt I ordered for her. Was at an event and got a very posh looking box of chocolates so they will go in the Christmas stash.

I love doing Christmas and get so excited about it. Last year was my first in a proper house and so I had blue icicle lights round the guttering. It looks affa festive haha

This year I think we are all going to my mums (sis takes year about between families) so I won't be cooking the big meal though may do a little one with the BF.

LJ
x

wishus

Count me in! I already have:

A beautiful Accessorize weekend bag for sister 1 - a second on sale in the chazza.
A bunch of freebie makeup saved towards sister 2's present
Some untangling brushes towards swim- loving Nieces' present from the book man at work.
A bundle of books from the book man for a nephew.
A notebook for my bro.

lots more to make and do.

moments_of_sanity

I am going to give the onion marmalade a try this weekend now that I have some balsamic vinegar

This year I will be making up hampers for family, so pants/knickers, socks, luxury hand creams etc, jams, marmalade, cocoa drink in a jar and I bought this yesterday as I thought it would be really nice to add a chocolate spoon to the cocoa jars....

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/16458/Silicone-Chocolate-Spoons-Mould

I find it gets harder and harder each year to buy for family as people don't seem to wait for birthdays or Christmas, they just buy it when they see it! :mad: